PSALM XLIX.

20 For man, how great soe'er his state, ET all the list’ning world attend,

Unless he's truly wise,

As like a sensual beast he lives, Let high and low, and rich and poor,

So like a beast he dies. With joint consent give ear.

PSALM L. 3 My mouth with sacred wisdom fill'd, Shall good advice impart;

"HE Lord hath spoke, the mighty God The sound result of prudent thoughts, Digested in my heart.

From dawning light, till day declines : To parables of weighty sense

The list'ning earth his voice hath heard, I will my ear incline;

And he from Sion hath appear'd, Whilst to iny tuneful harp I sing

Where beauty in perfection shines. Dark words of deep design.

3, 4 Our God shall come, and keep no more 5 Why should my courage fail in times Misconstru'd silence, as before; Of danger and of doubt,

But wasting dames before him send: When sinners, that would me supplant,

Around shall tempests fiercely rage, Have compass'd me about?

Whilst he does heav'n and earth engage 6 Those men, that all their hope and trust His just tribunal to attend. In heaps of treasure place,

5,6 Assemble all my saints to me, And boast in triumph, when they see (Thus runs the great divine decree) Their ill-got wealth increase,

That in my lasting cov'nant live, 7 Are yet unable from the grave

And off'rings bring with constant care : Their dearest friend to free;

The heav'ns his justice shall declare; Nor can, by force of bribes, reverse

For God himself shall sentence give. Th’ Almighty Lord's decree.

7, 8 Attend, my people; Israel, hear ; 8,9 Their vain endeavours they must quit; Thy strong accuser I'll appear; The price is held too high ;

Thy God, thy only God, am I; No su ms can purchase such a grant,

'Tis not of off'rings I complain, That man should never die.

Which, daily in my temple slain, 10 Not wisdom can the wise exempt,

My sacred altar did supply. Nor fools their folly save;

9 Will this alone atonement make! But both must perish, and in death

No bullock from thy stall l'll take, Their wealth to others leave.

Nor he-goat from thy fold accept: 11 For though they think their stately seats

10 The forest beasts, that range along, Shall ne'er to ruin fall,

The cattle too, are all my own, But their remembrance last in lands

That on a thousand hills are kept. Which by their names they call;

11 I know the fowls, that build their nests 12 Yet shall their fame be soon forgot, In craggy rocks; and savage beasts, How great soe'er their state ;

That loosely haunt the open fields : With beasts their memory, and they, 12 If seiz'd with hunger I could be, Shall share one common fate.

I need not seek relief from thee,

Since the world's mine, and all it yields. PART II.

13 Think'st thou that I have any need 13 How great their folly is, who thus On slaughter'd bulls and goats to feed, Absurd conclusions make!

To eat their flesh and drink their blood ? And yet their children, unreclaim'd, 14 The sacrifices I require, Repeat the gross mistake.

Are hearts which love and zeal inspire, 14 They all, like sheep to slaughter led, And vows with strictest care made good. The prey of death are made;

15 In time of trouble call on me, Their beauty, while the just rejoice,

And I will set thee safe and free; Within the grave shall fade.

And thou returns of praise shalt make. 15 But God will yet redeem my soul; 16 But to the wicked thus saith God: And from the greedy grave

How dar'st thou teach my laws abroad, His greater power shall set me free,

Or in thy mouth my cov'nant take? And to himself receive.

17 For stubborn thou, confirm'd in sin, 16 Then fear not thou, when worldly men Hast proof against instruction been, In envy'd wealth abound;

And of my word didst lightly speak: Nor though their prosp'rous house increase, 18 When thou a subtle thief didst see, With state and honour crown'd.

Thou gladly with him didst agree, 17 For when they're summon'd hence by And with adult'rers didst partake. death,

19 Vile slander is thy chief delight; They leave all this behind;

Thy tongue, by envy mov’d, and spite, No shadow of their former pomp

Deceitful tales does hourly spread: Within the grave they find:

20 Thou dost with hateful scandals wound 18 And yet they thought their state was blest, Thy brother, and with lies confound Caught in the flatt'rer's snare,

The offspring of thy mother's bed. Who with their vanity comply'd,

21 These things didst thou, whom still I strove And prais’d their worldly care.

To gain with silence, and with love, 19 lo their forefather's steps they tread; Till thou didst wickedly surmise, And when, like them, they die,

That I was such a one as thou; Their wretched ancestors and they

But I'll reprove and shame thee now, In endless darkness lie.

And set thy sins before thine eyes.

HA

22 Mark this, ye wicked fools, lest I

And thy own city flourish long, Let all my bolts of vengeance fly,

By lofty walls secur’d. Whilst none shall dare your cause to own: 19 The just shall then attend, 23 Who praises me, due honour gives; And pleasing tribute pay; And to the man that justly lives

And sacrifice of choicest kind
My strong salvation shall be shown.

Upon thy altar lay.
PSALM LI.

PSALM LII.
AVE mercy, Lord, on me,

I

N vain, O man of lawless might,
As thou wert ever kind;
Let me, oppress’d with loads of guilt,

Since God, the God in whom I trust,

Vouchsafes his favour still. Thy wonted mercy find. 2, 3 Wash off my foul offence,

2 Thy wicked tongue doth sland'rous tales And cleanse me from my sin;

Maliciously devise; For I .confess my crime, and see

And, sharper than a razor set,

It wounds with treach'rous lies. How great my guilt has been. $ Against thee, Lord, alone,

3, 4 Thy thoughts are more on ill than goods And only in thy sight,

On lies than truth, employ’d;
Have I transgress'd; and, though condemn'd, Thy tongue delights in words, by which
Must own thy judgment right.

The guiltless are destroy'd. 5 In guilt each part was form'd

5 God shall for ever blast thy hopes, Of all this sinful frame;

And snatch thee soon away ; In guilt I was conceiv'd, and born

Nor in thy dwelling-place permit, The heir of sin and shame.

Nor in the world, to stay. 6 Yet thou, whose searching eye

16 The just, with pious fear, shall see Does inward truth require,

The downfal of thy pride; In secret didst with wisdom's laws

And at thy sudden ruin laugh, My tender soul inspire,

And thus thy fall deride: 7 With hyssop purge me, Lord,

17 “See there the man that haughty was, And so I clean shall be;

“ Who proudly God defy’d, I shall with snow in whiteness vie,

“ Who trusted in his wealth, and still When purify'd by thee.

“On wicked arts rely’d." 8 Make me to hear with joy

8 But I am like those olive-plants Thy kind forgiving voice;

That shade Gou's temple round; That so the bones which thou hast broke

And hope with his indulgent grace May with fresh strength rejoice.

To be for ever crown'd. 9, 10 Blot out my crying sins,

9 So shall my soul, with praise, O God, Nor me in anger view :

Extol thy wondrous love; Create in me a heart that's elean,

And on thy name with patience wait;
An upright mind renew.

For this thy saints approve.
PART II.

PSALM LIII.

HE wicked fools must sure suppose 11 Withdraw not thou thy help,

That God is but Nor cast me from thy sight;

This gross mistake their practice shows, Nor let thy holy spirit take

Since virtue all disclaim. Its everlasting flight.

2 The Lord look'd down from heav'n's high 12 The joy thy favour gives,

tower, Let me again obtain;

The sons of men to view; And thy free Spirits firm support

To see if any own'd his power, My fainting soul sustain. 13 So I thy righteous ways

Or truth or justice knew. To sinners will impart;

3 But all, he saw, were backward gone,

Degen’rate grown and base; Whilst my advice shall wicked men

None for religion car’d, not one To thy just laws convert.

Of all the sinful race. 14 My guilt of blood remove,

4 But are those workers of deceit My Saviour, and my God;

So dull and senseless grown, And my glad tongue shall loudly tell

That they like bread my people eat, Thy righteous acts abroad.

And God's just power disown? 15 Do thou unlock my lips,

5 Their causeless fear shall strangely grows; With sorrow clos'd and shame; So shall my mouth thy wondrous praise

And they, despis’d of God,

Sball soon be foiid ; his hand shall throw To all the world proclaim. 16 Could sacrifice atone,

Their shatter' l bones abroad.

6 Would he his saving power employ Whole flocks and herds should die;

To break our servile hand,
But on such oft”rings thou disdain'st
To east a gracious eye.

Loud shouts of universal joy 17 A broken spirit is

Should echo through the land.
By God most highly priz'd;

PSALM LIV.
By him a broken contrite heart
Shall never be despis’d.

And in thy strength appear, 18 let Sion favour find,

To judge my cause; accept my prayer, Of thy good will assur'd;

And to my words give car.

TH

a pame;

the earth,

3 Mere strangers, whom I never wrong'd, 116, 17 But I will call on God, who still To ruin me design'd;

Shall in my aid appear; And cruel men, that fear no God,

At morn, at noon, and night, I'll pray; Against my soul combin'd.

And he my voice shall hear. 4, 5 But God takes part with all my friends,

PART III.
And he's the surest guard;
The God of truth shall give my foes

18 God has releas'd my soul from those Their falshood's due reward ;

That did with me contend; & While I my grateful off'rings bring, And made a num'rous host of friends And sacrifice with joy ;

My righteous cause defend. And in his praise my time to come

19 For he, who was my help of old, Delightfully employ.

Shall now his suppliant hear; 7 From dreadful danger and distress

And punish them whose prosp'rous statte The Lord hath set me free;

Makes them no God to fear. Through him shall I of all my foes

20 Whom can I trust, if faithless men The just destruction see.

Perfidiously devise
PSALM LV.

To ruin me, their peaceful friend,

And break the strongest ties?

21 Though soft and melting are their words, And listen when I pray ;

Their hearts with war abound; Nor tiom thy humble suppliant turn

Their speeches are more smooth than oil, Thy glorious face away.

And yet like swords they wound. 2 Attend to this my sad complaint,

22 Do thou, my soul, on God depend, And hear my grievous moans;

And he shall thee sustain ; While I my mournful case declare,

He aids the just, whom to supplant With artless sighs and groans.

The wicked strive in vain. 3 Hark how the foe insults aloud!

23 My foes, that trade in lies and blood, How fierce oppressors rage!

Shall all untimely die;
Whose sland'rous tongues, with wrathful hate, Whilst I, for health and length of days,
Against my fame engage.

On thee, my God, rely. 4, 5 My heart is rack'd with pain; my soul

PSALM LVI.
With deadly frights distress’d;
With fear and trembling compass'd round, 0
With horror quite oppress’d.

For man my life pursues; 6 How often wish'd I then, that I

To crush me with repeated wrongs, The dove's swift wings could get;

He daily strife renews. That I might take my speedy flight, 2 Continually my spiteful foes And seek a safe retreat.

To ruin me combine; 7, 8 Then would I wander far from hence, Thou see'st, who sitt'st enthron'd on high, And in wild deserts stray,

What mighty numbers join.
Till all this furious storm were spent, 3 But though sometimes surpris'd by fear,
This tempest pass'd away.

On danger’s first alarm;
PART II.

Yet still for succour I depend 9 Destroy, O Lord, their ill designs,

On thy Almighty arm. Their counsels soon divide;

4 God's faithful promise I shall praise, For through the city my griev'd eyes

On which I now rely ; Have strife and rapine spy’d.

In God I trust, and, trusting him, 10 By day and night, on every wall

The arm of flesh dety. They walk their constant round;

5 They wrest my words, and make them speak And in the midst of all her strength

A sense they never meant; Are grief and mischief found.

Their thoughts are all, with restless spite, 11 Whoe'er through every part shall roam, On my destruction bent. Will fresh disorders meet;

6 In close assemblies they combines Deceit and guile their constant posts

And wicked projects lay ; Maintain in every street.

They watch my steps, and lie in wait 12 For 'twas not any open foe

To make my soul their prey. That false reflections made;

7 Shall such injustice still escape? For then I could with ease have borne

O righteous God arise ; The bitter things he said:

Let thy just wrath, too long provok'd, 'Twas none who hatred had profess'd,

13 Thou hast retrier'd my soul from death; 16 Defeat, O God, their threat'ning rage, And thou wilt still secure

And timely break their power; The life thou hast so oft preserv'd,

Disarm these growling lions' jaws, And make my foot-steps sure:

E’er practis'd to devour. 14 That thus protected by thy power, 7 Let now their insolence, at height, I may this light enjoy ;

Like ebbing tides be spent ; And in the service of my God

Their shiver'd darts deceive their aim, My lengthen'd days employ.

When they their bow have bent.

8 Like snails let them dissolve to slime; PSALM LVII.

Like hasty births, become "HY mercy, Lord, to me extend; Unworthy to behold the sun, On thy protection I depend;

O

Do thou bring down their haughty pride, O lodge me safe beyond the reach
O Lord, our shield and tower.

Of persecuting power;
12 Now, in the height of all their hopes, 3 Thou, who so oft from spiteful foes
Their arrogance chastise;

Hast been my shelt'ring tower. Whose longues have sinn'd without restraint, 4 So shall I in thy sacred courts And curses join'd with lies.

Secure from danger lie; 13 Nor shalt thou, whilst their race endures, Beneath the covert of thy wings, Thine anger, Lord, suppress;

All future storms defy. That distant lands, by their just doom, 5 In sign my vows are heard, once more May Israel's God confess.

I o'er thy chosen reign; 14 At ev’ning let them still persist

6 O! bless with long and prosp'rous life Like growling dogs to meet,

The king thou didst ordain. Still wander all the city round,

7 Confirm his throne, and make his reign And traverse every street.

Accepted in thy sight;
15 Then, as for malice now they do, And let thy truth and mercy both
For hunger let them stray;

In his defence unite.
And yell their vain complaints aloud, 8 So shall I ever sing thy praise,
Defeated of their prey.

Thy name for ever bless; 16 Whilst early I thy mercy sing,

Devote my prosp'rous days to pay Thy wondrous power confess;

The vows of ray distress. For thou hast been my sure defence,

PSALM LXII. My refuge in distress. 17 To thee with never-ceasing praise,

soul for help on God relies;

From him alone my safety iows:
O God, my strength, I'll sing;
Thou art my God, the Rock from whence

My Rock, my Health, that strength supplies

To bear the shock of all my foes.
My health and safety spring.
PSALM LX.

3 How long will ye contrive my fall,

Which will but hasten on your own?

You'll totter like a bending wall,
Forsaking those who left thee first;

Or fence of uncemented stone.
As we thy just displeasure mourn,
To us, in mercy, Lord, return.

4 To make my envy'd honours less, 2 Our strength, that firm as earth did stand, For they, though with their mouths they bless,

They strive with lies, their chief delight; Is rent by thy avenging hand; O! heal the breaches thou hast made:

In private curse with inward spite. We shake, we fall, without thy aid!

5, 6 But thou, my soul, on God rely;

On him alone thy trust repose: 3 Our folly's sad effects we feel; For, drunk with discord's cup we reel:

My Rock and Health will strength supply

To bear the shock of all my foes. 4 But now, for them who thee rever'd, Thou hast thy truth's bright banner rear'd.

17 God does his saving health dispense, 5 Let thy right hand thy saints protect;

And flowing blessings daily send: Lord, hear the prayers that we direct:

He is my fortress and defence; 6 The holy God has spoke; and I,

On him my soul shall still depend. O’erjoy’d, on his firm word rely:

8 In him, ye people, always trust; To thee in portions I'll divide

Before his throne pour out your hearts; Fair Sichem's soil, Samaria's pride;

For God, the merciful and just, To Sichem, Succoth next I'll join,

His timely aid to us imparts. And measure out her vale by line.

9 The vulgar fickle are and frail; 7 Manasseh, Gilead, both subscribe

The great dissemble and betray; To

And, laid in truth's impartial scale, my commands, with Ephraim's tribe; Ephraim by arms supports my cause,

The lightest things will both outweigh., And Judah by religious laws.

10 Then trust not in oppressive ways; 8 Moab my slave and drudge shall be,

By spoil and rapine grow not vain ; Nor Edom from my yoke get free;

Nor let your hearts, if wealth increase, Proud Palestine's imperious state

Be set too much upon your gain., Shall hambly on our triumph wait.

11 For God has oft his will express’d, 9 But who shall quell these mighty powers,

And I this truth have fully known;

To be of boundless power possess'd
And clear my way to Edom's towers ?
Or through her guarded frontiers tread

Belongs, of right, to God alone.
The path that doth to conquest lead?

12 Though mercy is his darling grace, 10 Ev’n thou, O God, wbo hast dispers’d

In which he chiefly takes delight;

Yet will he all the human race
Our troops (for we forsook thee first);
Those whom thou didst in wrath forsake,

According to their works requite.
Atou'd, thou wilt victorious make.

PSALM LXIII.
11 Do thou our fainting cause sustain;
For human succours are but vain.

God, my gracious God, to thee
O

My morning prayers shall offer'd be; 12 Fresh strength and courage God bestows: For thee my thristy soul does pant: 'Tis he treads down our proudest foes. My fainting flesh implores thy grace PSALM LXI.

Within this dry and barren place,

Where I refreshing waters want. Which I, oppress'd with grief, 2 0! to my longing eyes, once more 2 From eartli's remotest parts address That view of glorious power restore, To thee for kind relief.

Which thy majestic house displays :

prayer,